The Black Stars of Ghana will battle Mexico's El Tri this weekend in an international friendly to prepare the Ghana national team for the World Cup qualifiers starting in November.
The Black Stars boss, Chris Hughton, is pulling out all the stops to ensure the team has a successful outing.
Ghana plays Mexico and the United States in a double-header of friendlies as part of preparations for the World Cup qualifiers starting next month.
The game against Mexico is on October 14, while the United States comes up on October 17.
Ahead of the game, Hughton has preceded the team to inspect the training facilities in the US.
Black Stars manager inspects facilities for Mexico-friendly
The venue for the international friendly between the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup winners, Mexico, was long confirmed to be the Charlotte Bank of America Stadium.
Ahead of their tour, Ghana Black Stars manager Hughton has preceded the team to inspect the facilities.
The former Tottenham and West Ham left-back successfully led the Black Stars to qualify for the World Cup at the expense of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Despite a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup performance, Chris Hughton insists on pushing the Black Stars to do well.
Ghana will also play the United States at the Geodis Park in Nashville.
Ghana is preparing for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Head coach Chris Hughton and his assistant @george1boateng paid a visit to the training facilities where the Black Stars will prepare for the friendly match against Mexico on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in Charlotte.#BlackStars | #MEXGHA pic.twitter.com/9K60kOPIBP
— 🇬🇠Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) October 10, 2023
They are in the same group as Mali, Madagascar, the Central African Republic, Comoros and Chad.
The Black Stars will start their I campaign with a game against Madagascar in the second week of November 2023.
They will also play two more games in November away to Mali and Comoros.
Ghana vs Mexico: Head-to-head
Ghana has faced off with Mexico's El Tri in three international friendlies. The October 14 tie will be their fourth meeting.
The Black Stars have never beaten Mexico, losing all three friendlies. Chris Hughton hopes for a better performance this time.
In March 2006, the Black Stars of Ghana faced off against Mexico for the first time and lost 1-0, with Guillermo Franco scoring the winning goal in the 75th minute.
Their second encounter was in March 2008, where Michael Essien scored Ghana's only goal against El Tri in a 2-1 loss.
The third meeting was in June 2017, and Elias Henandez scored a 32nd-minute penalty to down the Black Stars.
Black Stars squad to face Mexico: Andre Ayew dropped, Partey returns
Hughton has invited 23 players for the friendlies against Mexico and the United States.
Looking at the list, conspicuously missing is Andre Ayew, but Thomas Partey returns after an injury layoff.
Brighton and Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey also returns to the squad following his brilliant start to the season in England.
Lamptey had a challenging season last year, and due to injuries, he had to stay on the sidelines for close to six months.
The 23-man list
Lawrence Ati Zigi, A Manaf Nurudeen, Richard Ofori, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Joseph Aidoo, Nicholas Opoku, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Amartey, A Fatawu Hamid, Gideon Mensah, Osman Bukari, Joseph Paintsil, Thomas Partey, Edmund Addo, A. Salis Samed, Elisha Owusu, R. Konigsdorffer, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Ernest Nuamah, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 weeks ago
